MY STORY

FOR THE LOVE OF STUFF

I have always loved art, antiques and collectibles. I was always drawn to aesthetically pleasing things that had a story and unique provenance. For me, art and objects give us a tangible glimpse into history.

My love of stuff and its stories propelled me on my professional journey to become an art and antique appraiser. I started in the auction business – drawn to the elegance, learning opportunities and chance to handle pieces every day. I saw why and what people bought and sold. I developed great contacts. I built a treasure trove of knowledge, but I always yearned to add my own flair and aesthetic to what I was doing.

In 2004, circumstance finally caught up to my instinct, and I knew I had to make a decision about where I was taking my career. It was time for a leap of faith. And so I began this adventure that is Cartouche.

At the beginning, I hustled. A lot. I relied on my belief that I could bring something fresh and needed to collectors and professionals in the industry. And my passion drove me. As I built my client base, I realized that my instinct was right – that what I wanted to create with Cartouche, combining my passion for art and antiques with professional excellence – was needed and in demand.

I am continuously humbled and honoured to offer my appraisal and advisory services to private clients, museums, universities, corporations, insurance companies and estates. My key objectives, with every piece or collection, are to deliver excellence, build trust and share my passion for what I do.

MY APPROACH

THOROUGH AND PERSONALIZED

Dealing with people’s art and antiques – whether for appraisal, inventory, selling or buying – is a sensitive undertaking. Many clients are passionate about their items and have a strong emotional connection to the pieces themselves, to their stories or to how they came into their possession.

As a collector myself, I understand the attachment to items and the meticulousness required when dealing with them. I want my clients to have as much information as possible, so they come to a new understanding of their items and can make informed decisions.

As a result, my process is personalized and thorough. There is discovery work, needs assessment, guidance, face-to-face meetings, photographing/documenting the objects, consultations with specialists if required and investigations of market comparables. I collect and coordinate all of the fragments of the story and present them in a way that is comprehensive, informative and educational.

CONSULTING

TRUST, PASSION AND REVERENCE

When buying or selling a collection or individual works of art, it is critical to entrust the process to an expert with strong connections, as well as a passion and reverence for the items.

Whether helping clients to sell or buy, I bring a high level of respect, compassion and an appreciation for how items are handled to the process. Negotiations are conducted with the utmost professionalism, discretion and transparency.

Selling:
The process is tailored to the needs of each seller and is extremely high touch from start to finish. Whether selling a single item, the contents of a house or an entire estate, I work closely with the client on negotiations, terms of sale (private or auction) and the development of a customized sales plan.

Buying:
Information and options are vital to making an educated buying decision. I work closely with clients throughout the entire buying process, representing them at auctions, with dealers and at galleries. Once the purchase is complete, I oversee the actual acquisition of the piece, make any necessary shipping arrangements, provide guidance on how it can be displayed and/or offer recommendations on professional installation and framing.

TESTIMONIALS

I recommend the services of Sharon Berlin without qualification. A thorough researcher with an extensive knowledge of the primary and secondary markets of modern and contemporary art, she provides accurate and impeccably written appraisals of the highest quality for art museums and for CCPERB (Canadian Cultural Property Export Review Board). Sharon is the first appraiser I contact when I need a fair market value assessment of a work of art.
Museum Curator, Toronto, Ontario

I have been using the services of Sharon Berlin/Cartouche for some time now and have been very pleased on all fronts. Having a clientele of high net-worth individuals means that the other professionals I work with must be competent and accessible. Sharon is both of these things and has the right attitude – she will work with myself, the insurance company, and the client to resolve any problem that might arise with a fine arts schedule. Sharon has been an invaluable resource in servicing my clients and I look forward to continuing our partnership.
Jeff Goldstein, Senior Vice-President, Paisley-Manor Insurance Brokers Inc., Toronto, Ontario

Sharon was a godsend in the compilation of our Judaica catalogue. Her knowledge of antiques is incredible and her resourcefulness in researching esoteric items was outstanding. She would be invaluable to anyone interested in the preparation of records and in research of antiques and paintings.
B.G. – Private Collector, Toronto, Ontario

My experience with Sharon was totally satisfying. She catalogued my porcelain collection with photographs and in great written detail. Everything was done with high professionalism; joy in her work and enthusiasm for my collection.  Sharon is always available for updates — what collector is ever finished collecting? I am delighted to have such an efficient catalogue of my porcelain and would recommend Sharon unreservedly.
G.R. – Private Collector, Toronto, Ontario

Ms. Berlin has radically changed my perspective on my collection. She has vast knowledge of both fine and decorative arts, firsthand experience with the commercial art world and zealous investigative skills. Her work is clear, well organized and she provides highly detailed reports. I trust her conclusions implicitly, and inherently recommend Cartouche’s services.
L.G. – Private Collector, Toronto, Ontario